Club News

Parks on the Air - Supports your Parks Weekend

Autumn is here and the weekend of October 19-20, 2024 is the 2024 Autumn Support Your Parks Weekend. So, get out and POTA and make contacts from your favorite state or national park POTA location.

Parks on the Air

This event happens seasonally, on the 3rd full weekend of the month (Saturday & Sunday UTC). These are ‘activity weekends’ where the main purpose is to get out in the parks, and have as much fun as possible.

Upcoming Support Your Parks Weekend:

• Winter - 3rd Full Weekend of January. January 18-19, 2025
• Spring - 3rd Full Weekend of April. April 19-20, 2025
• Summer - 3rd Full Weekend of July. July 19-20, 2025
• Autumn - 3rd Full Weekend of October. October 19-20, 2024

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is currently allowing public comment on a proposal by private company NextNav Inc. that would reconfigure the 902-928 MHz band widely used by amateur radio and Meshtastic, and replace it with a backup GPS system...

At the very least, this product is likely to disrupt range and performance of Meshtastic devices- but the implications could be far wider. It has the potential to cripple the network and interfere with other frequency usage including that of tollbooth operators and other LoRaWAN devices.

Here is a link to a write up on the Proposed Changes on 900 MHz Band:

Meshtastic

https://meshtastic.org/blog/meshtastic-opposition-to-nextnav-proposed-changes/

ARRL

https://www.arrl.org/news/view/arrl-urges-protecting-the-amateur-radio-902-928-mhz-band

A published opposition letter from Meshtastic President JM Casler:

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0071/3772/files/Opposition_Letter.pdf?v=1725463027

Take action before September 20th, 2024

The fastest way to take action is to submit an Express Comment at the FCC website. Here is a direct link with docket number pre-filled. 

Comments are due by September 20th, 2024, act today!

This weekend is (July 20 - 21, 2024) is 2024 Summer Support Your Parks Weekend. So, get out and POTA and make contacts from your favorite POTA location.

Parks on the Air

Support Your Parks

This event happens seasonally, on the 3rd full weekend of the month (Saturday & Sunday UTC). These are ‘activity weekends’ where the main purpose is to get out in the parks, and have as much fun as possible.

• Winter - 3rd Full Weekend of January. January 18-19, 2025
• Spring - 3rd Full Weekend of April. April 19-20, 2025
• Summer - 3rd Full Weekend of July. July 20-21, 2024
• Autumn - 3rd Full Weekend of October. October 19-20, 2024

Parks on the Air (POTA) Activation

Park Activated: 20 QSOs @ Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge US-0346.

Moved to Sunday June 30, 2024 @ 8:00 am at the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge (US-0346).

On Saturday, June 29, 2024 @ 8:00 am, K8UFM (Randall) will be at the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge (US-0346).

Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
5437 W Jefferson Ave, Trenton, MI 48183
42.116331, -83.183345

I will be setup at the covered picnic area. When you enter the park, stay to the left and as you approach the fishing pier the covered picnic area will be on the left.

For more information about Parks on the Air visit: 

Parks on the Air (POTA):  https://parksontheair.com/

Welcome to the Parks on the Air (POTA) site for international portable amateur radio operations that promote emergency awareness and communications from national/federal and state/provincial level parks.

Parks on the Air (POTA) Spots: https://pota.app/#/

Welcome to the Parks on the Air (POTA) is a global initiative to activate and log parks using amateur radio. See the latest spots of amateur radio operators who are activating parks around the world, with band, and mode.

The club picnic is planned to be held on August 10, 2024 at Elizabeth Park. Bring your own food and beverages to enjoy good conversations and fellowship with other club members and guests.

More info here: Summer Picnic

There are tentative plans to have a mini on foot fox hunt.

If you have something you would like to share with the club (projects, interesting QSO, equipment, etc.) please let Stan K8SB know via his ARRL e-mail address. K8SB@arrl.net. Stan is coordinating the program.

The MCRCA is holding it's annual hamfest at the Monroe County Fairgrounds on June 16, 2024 from 7:30AM till 1:00PM.

For more information please see: https://www.mcrca.org/Hamfest/Index

This link to register:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/1046178054934836064

More sessions here:

https://www.weather.gov/dtx/spotter2

This year there will be a Skywarn class in at Wayne County Community College in Taylor.

Wayne County Community College
21000 Northline Rd   - Taylor, MI

The class is on April 11, 2024 from 7PM to 8:30PM

For more information please visit: https://www.weather.gov/dtx/skywarncert

Hamfest season is starting up! Here are the upcoming hamfests in the month of March for the ARRL Great Lakes Division.

March 09 - Michigan Crossroads Hamfest & Radio Swap - Kalamazoo Twp, MI - More Info: https://www.w8df.com/index.php?content=hamfest

March 10 - WINTERHAMFEST - Elyria, OH - More Info: https://www.noars.net/?page_id=1062

March 17 -  Toledo Mobile Radio Association Hamfest and Computer Fair - Perrysburg, OH - More Info: https://w8hhf.org/hamfest/